Together we are stronger

July 13, 2022

I have to admit, prior to meeting warrior mom Mary, I had ZERO clue about childhood cancer. I had seen the St. Jude’s commercials, but I still didn’t understand the magnitude of what these kids and their families are up against. Mary has completely opened my eyes to the childhood cancer world and I am forever grateful for our friendship. I have watched her cry as she explained her journey, what she had been through with her son Cooper, how he was initially diagnosed, how he fought like a true warrior. The long sleepless nights in the hospital, Mary NEVER wanted to leave his side, and would spend days and days praying that Cooper would feel better. The mom guilt she faced when she knew she had other children at home that missed her and wanted her attention as well. Watching her son be so sick and bound to a hospital bed, when months prior he was running around playing sports like most children do. This battle went on for years until Cooper’s body couldn’t take it anymore and he received his angel wings.

This battle affects the entire family, and it never goes away. Children and their families fighting cancer live in a world of “one day at a time” and “keep a hospital bag ready at all times.” I have personally experienced this as I was checking in on one of my warrior kiddos one day. I had texted her mom that morning to check in. She sent me a picture of her smiling so big, and the next picture was her laying in a hospital bed because her nose started to bleed uncontrollably.

This can be a side effect of the chemotherapy. They had literally used a tool to pinch her nose so the bleeding would stop. My heart always drops when I receive pictures like these, but then I realize this is the reality these kids face every..single..day. Once she was stable, I was in my car on my way to the hospital to drop off some goodies to bring her smile back. This is just one of 100 + stories I want to share with the you. My hope is to help the world see how unbelievably strong these children and families are. I have learned it’s not that people don’t want to help support these families, they are just like me, completely unaware of what it looks like. I hope you embark on the journey with me and I look forward to teaching you all about the Childhood Cancer Life and how we can help to make it better